May my Words

In 1985 I was appointed Canon Theologian by Bishop Peter Mumford though I suspect that his then Chaplain, my former Cambridge pupil, Canon Jim Whitlock may have had a hand in it. I was to serve three bishops, Bishop Peter, Bishop Michael Ball, and Bishop Bill Ind.

What Bishop Peter wanted was someone from outside the diocese whom he could consult on virtually any matter and who would provide an entirely independent voice. I had the added advantage of having been born and brought up in Cornwall, though had long left to minister as a College Chaplain and tutor in Cambridge, then Oxford, and finally as Headmaster of the King’s School, Canterbury. There Archbishop Robert Runcie wanted to appoint me an Honorary Canon but said I could not hold two such posts and must resign from Truro.  I told him on no account would I do that.  So he appointed me anyway, leading some friends to call me ‘Bang Bang’.

In Bishop Peter’s day, Bishops appointed Examining Chaplains whose duty was to assess the suitability of potential candidates for ordination.  As Canon Theologian, I was part of the team which was largely drawn from outside the diocese.  We met annually at Lis Escop, being put up by the Mumfords and enjoying Jane’s wonderful hospitality.

In those early days when money was not an issue and theology was taken much more seriously within the church at large, an annual residential conference for clergy was held at Newquay which clergy were required to attend and where I lectured. Other duties involved regular preaching in the Cathedral and in many parishes, always a delight, as well as on occasion looking over a speech the Bishop was to deliver in the House of Lords, discussing with the Bishop wider issues within the church such as the ordination of women, and perhaps unwisely undertaking some troubleshooting.  But the main requirement was simply to be there when needed. It was up to each Bishop as to how much he used me.

During my ministry, I have written or contributed to some 22 books. The Old Testament being my specialty.  My Favourite remains Entering into the Mind of God, an expanded version of my three-hour addresses on the seven last words of Jesus given in Truro Cathedral on Good Friday 2000.   It was punctuated by pictures of Michael Finn crosses.

For a brief two years, I also served the Cathedral as one of the first Chapter Canons.  Canon Perran Gay and I wrote the new Cathedral Statutes, the most taxing task being to determine the order of precedence in Cathedral processions!  However in 2002 after 17 years, I felt that the diocese should have a new Canon Theologian and with considerable regret resigned both positions.  I remain hugely indebted to Bishop Peter for appointing me to a post in my beloved county from which sadly I am again an exile.

Canon Anthony Phillips

As a legacy of his ministry, Anthony Phillips, Canon Theologian from 1985-2002 and Chapter Canon 2001-2002 has collected a number of his sermons which he has privately published under the title May my Words. Fourteen relate to major occasions in the Christian calendar: twenty are on a variety of subjects that should be of interest to any Christian. In the Preface to the book, Anthony writes: Every sermon should be an act of love, love for God and love for humankind. It is in this spirit that this selection from a fifty year ministry is offered to the reader. Copies of May my Words can be obtained from Canon Anthony Phillips, 47 Warwick Street, Oxford OX4 1SZ price £6.65 to include postage